Església de Sant Mateu

“Did they really cheat?” a child’s voice piped up, echoing around the Plaza de la Iglesia. We stand before the Església de Sant Mateu. This church, a cornerstone of Sant Mateu d’Albarca, whispers tales of friendly rivalry and communal pride. Archduke Luis Salvador, a man who knew his churches, declared Església de Sant Mateu one of the finest on the island. Construction began in 1787, a testament to the popular building traditions of the era. Imagine the villagers, working tirelessly to complete their beloved church. A local legend claims they were in a race against their neighbors in Santa Agnès. The story goes that Santa Agnès finished first, but only by cheating. They supposedly built shorter walls, a detail perhaps lost to the casual observer but not to the proud residents of Sant Mateu. The church, with its single nave and semi-circular vault, embraces eight chapels. Its simple bell wall stands as a quiet sentinel over the town. The traditional porch, with its three welcoming arches, beckons us inside. Over the years, Església de Sant Mateu has seen its share of transformations. In 1873, Miguel Torres remodeled the chancel. A few decades later, between 1884 and 1885, the distinctive enclosed porches were added. They boast ornate juniper-wood panels and a sturdy beam roof, adding a touch of elegance to the structure. More recently, in 1968, the main altar was completed, and in 1991, the altarpiece arrived from Holy Cross Church in Pedreguer, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of this sacred space. Every September 21st, the community gathers to celebrate the feast of Saint Matthew. The air fills with music and laughter. The spirit of Sant Mateu, embodied in this beautiful church, lives on.